Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sometimes, we need to reflect in order for us to know whether we are moving closer to our goals.

It is what a pilot of a ship would do as he steers his ship towards his objective.

Reflections is like the pilot looking at his compass and make small changes or 'trims' so that he does not go off course.

Here is a list of 20 questions that everyone interested in personal development should ask oneself every Sunday so that he knows that he is moving towards his goals and not away from it and does some trimmings in order to steer his energies and focus towards his outcome.

20 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Every Sunday

At the cusp of new beginnings many
of us take time to reflect on our lives by looking back over the past and ahead
into the future. We ponder the successes, failures and standout events
that are slowly scripting our life’s story. This process of self
reflection helps maintain a conscious awareness of where we’ve been and where
we intend to go. It is pertinent to the organization and preservation of
our dreams, goals and desires.

If you would like to maximize the
benefits of self reflection, I have 20 questions for
you. These questions should be reviewed every Sunday morning or sometime
during the weekend when you have some quiet time to think. Remember,
reflection is the key to progression.

1.What did I learn last week? – If
you have trouble answering this question, it’s time for a change. It
doesn’t matter how old you are, you should learn something
new every week.

2.What was my greatest accomplishment over
the past week? – Reflecting on your accomplishments is a
healthy way to raise self confidence and contentment. It’s also an
effective way to track your progress.

3.Which moment from last week was the
most memorable and why? – It may open up your mind to new
passions and goals, or simple pastimes worth revisiting.

4.What’s the #1 thing I need to accomplish
this week? – Everything else is secondary, and should be
treated as such. Nevertheless, this question will also shine light on
other noteworthy tasks.

5.What can I do right now to make the week
less stressful? – Set reminders in your calendar, get your
laundry done, fill the car with gas… organize yourself.

6.What have I struggled with in the past
that might also affect the upcoming week? – The idea here is to
learn from your struggles and better equip yourself for future encounters.

7.What was last week’s biggest time sink? –
Steer clear of this in the future. Setup physical barriers against distractions
if you have to.

8.Am I carrying any excess baggage into the
week that can be dropped? – Physical clutter, mental clutter…
eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary may shine bright.

9.What have I been avoiding that needs to
get done? – Pencil in a time to get these things
done. For any 2-minute or less tasks, consider scheduling them
first thing Monday morning.

10.What opportunities are still on the
table? – If it’s still available and you want it, make a concrete plan to go
after it this week.

11.Is there anyone I’ve been meaning to talk
to? – Regular communication can solve problems before they fester.
Always keep an open line of communication to those around you.

12.Is there anyone that deserves a big
‘Thank You’? – Take time each week to thank the people who
have helped you. Your kind gesture will not go unnoticed.

13.How can I help someone else this coming
week? – The easiest way to get what you want is to help others get what
they want. If you help them, they will remember you when you need help.

14.What are my top 3 goals for the next 3
years? – You’ll never make any progress in life if you don’t setup realistic
goals for yourself.

15.Have any of my recent actions moved me
closer to my goals? – If the answer is no, something needs to
change.

16.What’s the next step for each goal? –
Knowing the next step is the key to accomplishing the whole.

17.What am I looking forward to during the
upcoming week? – The answer can act as a great source of
motivation. If nothing exists, schedule something to
look forward to.

18.What are my fears? –
Consciously address your fears each week and slowly work on resolving
them. It’s all about taking baby steps.

19.What am I most grateful for? –
It’s a smart way to keep things in perspective, and something you should never
lose sight of.

20.If I
knew I only had one week to live, who would I spend my time with? –
Another helpful reminder… Life is short. Spend more time with the people
you care about.

Take 30 minutes every Sunday and
give yourself the gift of self reflection. It has worked wonders for me,
and I am confident it will do the same for you.